As the site won't let me modify my posts (is this a problem or a new protocol I missed the implementation of), I can't post photos to previous replies so must plow ahead with the recovered photos on a new post.
The approach to the 8th and the 8th green itself. This green features the most internal contours of any that I recall.
Because the course is such a muddle out on the far end including two holes across the burn that are still in the process of being created, shaped, etc. I'm going to bring this home with this last post.
From the "11th Tee" Temporary and confusing.
Unfortunately I have no photos of the remainder of the 11th. A pity as it does have a cool green that absolutely requires an approach from the center or the right of the fairway. Go left and there's no way to get close to two thirds of the available pin positions.
The 12th Green which is a skyline green though a moderate one. This photo shows the effect if not the contours themselves. Having come up short with my tee shot I chipped/pitched the ball ten yards right of the hole to get the ball this close. There are two tiers to this green and obviously a funneling effect from high right to low left.
Trying to find the 13th . The tee turned out to be benched into a dune to the left of the 12th green.
The Marker Pole for your second on 13
My ball just short of the (temporary) 13th. See the new green tucked into the cove in the background. I did manage to make 4 here but didn't consider it a birdie until I saw there was a 104 yard par 4 on the PGA Tour recently.
The beginning of a glorious stretch of holes: the 14th tee for a dogleg left.
The approach to the 14th. Note the furrows. Not all links land wasn't cultivated.
The 15th Tee. This is one hole on which the blindness is to be removed. Note the evidence of earth moving to the left.
The marker pole on the current 15th
The marker pole in the 16th fairway. The green is hidden by the dune on the right and is sloped back to front with a shallow swale in front.
The 16th Green
Another blind tee shot on the 17th. There is a very wide fairway beyond the dune on the right which masks it.
The magnificent approach and marker post to the 17th.
The superb 17th Green. Another of those below sea level which is slated to be raised but replicated.
The 18th Fairway from the Tee
The Blind Approach to the elevated and Marker Posted 18th
The 18th Green and my ball, but not there in 2.
I think it's evident there is a lot of blindness at the Machrie and that a lot of it will remain. Whether the redesign remains true to its stated purpose can only be judged once it's in the dirt. It seems a shame to me that they would remove much of the blindness and quirk that has formed the mystique of The Machrie almost as much as its remoteness. I know I was drawn to it for both reasons and I'm certainly glad I made the trip.
I have tentative plans to be swinging through the Hebrides again next summer and if I do so I will certainly stop by and play The Machrie again for the enjoyment and also to monitor the progress.